Planning an Orlando holiday - any tips?

Want2BMoneySavvy

We have three kids, and we're lucky that we've been to DLP a couple of times, and generally have a big European holiday every summer. We've decided to give up one holiday and put it towards THE BIG ONE - ORLANDO. We've never been before, and whilst I have some idea of what I'm doing, could do with some input if anyone has tips.

We will probably book flights separately, as that's what we're used to doing anyway. I think we're looking at about £500 per person for return flights, does that sound right? So that's £2.5k OMG.

Accomodation - not sure? Maybe a SC apartment in a complex with a pool? Not sold on staying in Disney or whatever, unless it's really good value.

What's best for tickets? We will want to see other stuff as well as the parks, so not sure a 14 day pass will be best value for us.

Finally, considering flying to NY first, and having three days there, then flying to Orlando. Are we crazy to do that? Need to price up flights but it might be worth it for the experience. My husband works for Sheraton and can get us really good deals on hotels in NY, so accommodation won't be that much.

Any experiences or thoughts most wecome. Sorry if this is in the wrong place - couldn't see a dedicated Orlando board.

Caz3121

plenty reading in the Orlando threads https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1820085
(it had dropped to page 12!)

balletshoes

this website is fabulous for all things Orlando-planning -

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/index.php

force_ten

balletshoes wrote: »

this website is fabulous for all things Orlando-planning -

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/index.php

i will second the Dibb you will find everything you need to know about orlando on that forum

jfdi

Do check all-in prices too as can be cheaper than booking it all separate.

We ( Me, DH, DS age 10) found it cheaper to package the lot via Virgin once than book it all independently.

Just get some paper and calculator and add it all up! It can be considerable!

Jacko_amz

i prefer a villa as its so much easier, especially if your a big family. plus you get your own pool again i vouch for thedibb.co.uk its fab!! you can get 7 day tickets however plans change and u can mix and match what you do each day with the freedom of a 14day pass i love florida its such a fab holiday!

meer53

We love Orlando, been several times. Usually book flight, car and villa separately. Flights in the school holidays will probably be more than £500 each We went last in 2014 in the 6 weeks holidays and they were £850 each booked 12 months in advance, so if you can go out of term time it will be cheaper. A villa for 2 weeks will probably be about £800-£1000. Disney/Universal tickets will add a considerable amount too, we use Undercovertourist for park tickets but The Dibb is your best bet for cheapest prices for everything and as much help as you need.

zagfles

You'll probably find the US easier to organise independant travel than Europe, so don't worry about that. If you can, go off-peak to Florida, eg May-June, Oct-Nov, accomodation is incredibly cheap off-peak and obviously queues in the theme parks are shorter. August is just horrible, hot, humid and packed, personally I'd avoid going in August if at all possible. Though lots of people do...

And yes there is masses to do in Florida other than theme parks. The Everglades, Keys, Miami, space centre (and there's an excellent nature park right next to the space centre)...

Want2BMoneySavvy

Excellent, thanks so much.

We're in Scotland so we can take our kids out in termtime (at the moment anyway!), and was thinking of May.

HAve priced up flights on Expedia and they are coming up at £550 pp to fly to New York via London, then direct from NY to Orlando, then Orlando back to Edin via London. Price is amazing, can't decide if the changing and all the flights will prove too much of a toll on the kids though.

piglet74

Want2BMoneySavvy wrote: »

Excellent, thanks so much.

We're in Scotland so we can take our kids out in termtime (at the moment anyway!), and was thinking of May.

HAve priced up flights on Expedia and they are coming up at £550 pp to fly to New York via London, then direct from NY to Orlando, then Orlando back to Edin via London. Price is amazing, can't decide if the changing and all the flights will prove too much of a toll on the kids though.

Have you considered flying from Ireland? I went to Florida at Easter, and there was a gang flew in from Glasgow to get the flight from Dublin,

Price Tour America, we travelled with them, and its priced in euros, we had flights, hotel, (Rosen plaza) transfers, park tickets (universal, IOA, wet and wild) a day on an air boat at wild Florida, and it was less than E4000 for three adults for ten nights at Easter

stoneman

We are in Orlando at the moment.
BIG TIP. Sign up for uber. They have loads of cabs available in the Orlando area. Use my code andyy9 and you will get your first ride up to $15 free. Link your cc to your account. Use your smart phone to book your cab, easy. MCO to Disney resort hotels is about $25. Get a normal cab and it will cost you nearer $50. You don't have to worry about being long hauled or over charged. If you are staying in Kissimmi it will cost less because it's nearer the airport than Disney hotels.

You will not need more than 2 days at the Disney resorts. Get there when they open and you'll get straight on even the best rides. Which aren't many.

Universal will take more of your time and don't miss the Harry Potter rides, they are really good.